Dometic 3-Way RM8501, 10 year old mystery "problem" solved!

[AG_Ltd]

I've owned (and hated!) this fridge for the past 10 years because of this problem: when on propane, it would inexplicably turn itself off. I searched high and low for a fix, had a hard time finding a mechanic willing to take online advice. FINALLY one mechanic took the fridge out of my Roadtrek, put it on his bench and serviced it (i.e. gave it a good clean) only to tell me "Your fridge works fine." WHAT!? "You need a new propane regulator" OMG why didn't someone think of this? He replaced it and SHAZAM! It is working perfectly even at elevations over 9000 ft. I hope this helps someone else.

 

[peteco]

I had the same problem with my regulator. My fridge did turn on a check light to indicate it had turned off.

 

[Doneworking]

I guess just lighting one of the burners on the stove would indicate if the LP was malfunctioning. Incidentally, I found out if the RT has been out of use for a while when I turn on the propane I first light a stove burner and that assures the gas has flowed up that far, which is just past the refrigerator in my 210P. When it lights, I turn it off and then fire up the fridge. it seems to eliminate failures to light for a few cycles after storage and the LP shut down for a month or two.

 

[peteco]

I guess just lighting one of the burners on the stove would indicate if the LP was malfunctioning. Incidentally, I found out if the RT has been out of use for a while when I turn on the propane I first light a stove burner and that assures the gas has flowed up that far, which is just past the refrigerator in my 210P. When it lights, I turn it off and then fire up the fridge. it seems to eliminate failures to light for a few cycles after storage and the LP shut down for a month or two.

In my case the burners did light and appeared fine.The frig worked in propane mode most of the time, but then would cut off occasionally and the check light would illuminate indicating that the flame was not sufficient to maintain operation on propane. I checked the regulator pressure and it was just a little below the minimum spec for the frig. After changing the regulator, and measuring that the pressure met spec, the frig has operated with no problems since.

 

[Asphalt Addict]

Thanks. I have that problem occasionally. Several times on our last trip. I recently replaced the regulator(1-2 years). I thought it might be the thermocouple which I have cleaned yet. I'll try that first and if I still have the problem...regulator again.

 

[engnrsrule]

This thread may have saved me a headache and some $$$. I have been considering swapping to a compressor fridge due to poor performance above 90°, plus the fact that I now have 300ah lithium and 290w of solar. However...my 2006 RT just had a propane tank replacement, and I got fitted with a new regulator as well. Since my Domestic RM8501 is only a few years old, I think I need to test it on the new regulator before scrapping it

 

[peteco]

Update. My fridge went into error mode twice this past week. I cleaned the burner and chimney tube and it has not cutoff again. I think the gas operation can be very finicky and sensitive to many factors. I need to check regulator pressure to see if it is in spec.